8 Weird Essentials No Pregnant Mom Should Do Without

Nicole Fabian-Weber

About the Author

Nicole Fabian-Weber is the mama to a preschooler girl and toddler boy. She lives outside of New York City and writes for various websites.

About the Blog

WhatToExpect.com supports Word of Mom as a place to share stories and highlight the many perspectives and experiences of pregnancy and parenting. However, the opinions expressed in this section are those of individual writers and do not reflect the views of Heidi Murkoff of the What to Expect brand.

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It seems like practically the minute you announce that you’re pregnant, anyone and everyone has a product you need to get or an activity you need to do. Be it a beloved pillow they used during their pregnancy or a prenatal yoga class that was their saving grace, well-meaning folk pop out of the woodwork once you’re carrying a baby to give you tips on things you can't do without.

But what worked for your friend won’t necessarily work for you. One of the keys to a happy pregnancy is finding things that make you feel, well, happy — and between the lack of sleep, fluctuating hormones, and inevitable anxiety that often accompanies expecting a baby, that isn’t always easy.

Here’s a list of pregnancy “essentials” that may help ease nerves, boost your mood, and make you feel comfy and cute on those days you've lost some of your glow. And feel free to improvise and swap any of these out for whatever must-have things that do the trick for you.

1. A favorite pair of pants that are comfy AND fit AND look good. Pants or jeans that fit well, are comfortable and make you feel pretty go a long way when you’re pregnant. The key is finding a pair you can wear a lot (get two if you have to!), go with almost everything and never fail to make you feel good about yourself no matter what you're going through that day. Truly a pregnancy godsend!

2. A pantry or fridge always stocked with your favorite snack or craving. Whatever your favorite treat is during your pregnancy — Starbursts, Spanish olives, frozen watermelon (hi) — stock up on it throughout your nine months. Because few things are more annoying than getting a hankering for said craving at 11 p.m. and not being able to satiate it. Or having to send your sleepy partner out for it.

3. Someone you can talk to about anything. Real talk: Pregnancy isn’t all butterflies and roses for everyone. In fact, it can be a seriously weird time for some expectant moms. So making sure you always have someone to talk to about whatever you’re feeling (be it a trusted friend, a parent or a therapist) is sort of like constant, low-grade peace of mind. That way you can avoid those times when you're out of sorts and have to keep it in. Feeling that way isn't what you or your baby need.

4. Something that will always boost your mood. Since pregnancy often equals emotions that are all over the place, having something you know will lift your spirits goes a long way. Of course, whatever your mood booster is —a long walk, a warm bath, a one-woman Beyoncé dance party in your car — it will be unique to you. But having that “go-to” for when you’re not feeling your best can be incredibly helpful.

5. A good meditation app. If you’re a seasoned meditator and think Headspace is just plain silly, good for you! But for those who find it hard to clear their heads and just be, a meditation app (or YouTube video) can come in super handy. Not only is it a great way to keep you grounded throughout your pregnancy, it can also be a life-saver when you wake up in the middle of the night to pee (for the third time) and can’t seem to get back to sleep.

6. Safe versions of your beloved beauty products and routines. Look, we don’t all look like Kourtney Kardashian when we’re pregnant, so keeping up with much-loved beauty rituals and routines can help make a gal feel good through all the physical changes she's going through. Keep your beauty game strong while you’re pregnant with safe alternatives to your standby products and procedures. Of course, talk to your health care provider before trying anything new, but a few ways to do that include using nontoxic nail polishes and opting for highlights instead of hair dye.

7. A good bra. Let’s be real here, ladies: Our breasts change when we’re pregnant, and it’s inevitable that there’s going to come a point when the bra we know and love (and, truthfully, wear every day) just doesn’t work anymore. Instead of being uncomfortable for months on end, invest in a new one that fits and you like. Life-changing? No. But it certainly will make the day-to-day more pleasant.

8. A go-to mantra. When there’s no time to run a bath or sit down and meditate, have a go-to mantra (something! anything!) you can say to yourself that will put whatever you're thinking or feeling into perspective. You can use that motivating, inspiring phrase when you’re in labor too. Talk about versatile!

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